Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The Madhya Pradesh High Court’s principal bench in Jabalpur has directed the state government to submit an updated action taken report (ATR) within two weeks regarding hospitals operating in violation of regulations.
The bench, comprising Chief Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Vivek Jain, issued the directive during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the operation of non-compliant private hospitals.
The PIL was filed in 2022 by Vishal Baghel, president of the Law Student Association, highlighting how many hospitals were granted permission to operate without adhering to essential norms during the Covid-19 pandemic. The petition alleged that the Health Department issued licences without ensuring compliance with the National Building Code, fire safety regulations, parking provisions and the mandatory six-meter open space for emergency vehicles.
During the pendency of the petition, a major fire broke out at New Life Hospital in Jabalpur in August 2022, leading to death of eight people. Absence of emergency exits prevented patients and staff from escaping, prompting the High Court to take a strict stance on the matter.
As a result, several hospitals faced action for non-compliance. In the latest hearing on Thursday, the government submitted documents to the court, stating that crackdowns on errant hospitals were ongoing. Authorities have already cancelled registrations of Kothari Hospital and Apple Hospital for violating norms.
The High Court has now directed the government to provide a comprehensive report on all non-compliant hospitals operating within two weeks. Hand over panel’s probe report to police, govt told The High Court also directed the government to immediately hand over the investigation report of the committee headed by divisional commissioner of Jabalpur to the police for investigation.
During the hearing, the petitioner informed the court that Dr L.N. Patel and Dr Nishe Chaudhary, who conducted the physical inspection and recommended registration for New Life Multispecialty Hospital, have not been named as accused in the police investigation.
The petitioner argued that if these officials had submitted an accurate inspection report, the hospital’s registration would not have been approved, potentially preventing the loss of lives. The government-appointed committee, led by the divisional commissioner of Jabalpur, has found these officials guilty, but its report has not been handed over to police, delaying legal action against those responsible, the petitioner said.
